Inside The Bills

With Buffalo’s scouting staff kind enough to take part of their lunch break to make themselves available to the media this week, just days before the draft I asked Bills scout Rashaan Curry if he thinks USC LB Brian Cushing could help a team as a pass rusher as well, seeing that he played some DE for the Trojans in his college career. Here’s the answer I got.

“I think he’s capable,” said Curry, “The guy has shown that he can do a lot of things on the field. Play coverage, play the run, help rush the passer, be a blitzer. You’re talking about a versatile player and an impact guy. The other thing with him playing defensive end, he played behind some pretty good players so they were trying to find a way to get him on the field. I wouldn’t discount what he was able to do at either position just because of where he played. It was the result of seeing the caliber of players that came before him that are now making an impact at our level.”

I followed up by asking him if he sees Cushing’s ideal position as a strong side LB. Curry wouldn’t bite on that.

“I think you think about him inside as well,” Curry said. “Obviously we have Poz and like a lot of things about him, so you wouldn’t move him. I think Cushing could do a lot of things for you.”

Suffice to say that Cushing is viewed as a versatile performer by the Bills and probably a lot of other teams. I’m not convinced that Buffalo is as high on Everette Brown as I am, so I’m trying to look at alternatives at 11.

Obviously Michael Oher would be a consideration with Peters now moved, but Cushing might be more instant impact and can do more. He just looks like a Bills type player.

I honestly don’t know which way they’re leaning or who their top considerations are at 11. Everything has been very hush-hush here at One Bills Drive. But I would not rule out Cushing.